The presents that Todd Graham wants most — an 11th victory for his Arizona State football team and the return of linebacker Carl Bradford next season — won’t be arriving until after Christmas, if at all.

ASU remains a two-touchdown favorite to beat Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30 with just one pre-San Diego practice remaining before a Christmas break.

“It’s hard for me to talk to these guys about family and not be conscious of that,” Graham said Friday. “It’s Christmas, and we can get our work done and have four days off. Any time we’ve played later than the 28th, we’ve done that and been pretty successful.”

Bradford is among a reported 200 underclassmen nationally awaiting draft evaluation from an NFL advisory board before deciding whether to take the pro plunge or remain in college. The deadline to declare for the 2014 NFL draft is Jan. 15.

“I’ll know after the bowl game,” Bradford said. “I’ll just see what they (NFL) say, talk it over with my family and just pray on it and go from there. I don’t have a really big key, just try to understand what’s right for me. Hopefully, I make the best decision.”

ASU defensive tackle Will Sutton returned this season and repeated as Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, even with a significant drop-off in sacks and tackles for a loss. Bradford, a hybrid linebacker/defensive end, leads ASU with 8 1/2 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss (No. 15 nationally), almost equaling his 2012 tackles-for-a-loss total (20 1/2).

Bradford graduated this semester in criminal justice, which could work either way in his decision making.

“That’s a blessing,” Bradford said. “I won’t have to worry about taking 18 units again. That was my plan coming in to Arizona State, I wanted to graduate early and be ready just in case. If I come back or not, I’ll have my degree, which I promised my mom I’ll get before I leave. If I do come back, I don’t have to stress so much on school work and can really focus on football.”

ASU is losing seven defensive starters, including most of its front, so it’s no wonder Graham wants Bradford to go the Sutton route.

But if the NFL projects Bradford as no worse than a second-round draft pick, he might opt out rather than face the inevitable double teams that he, like Sutton did this season, would face here in 2014.

“I’m blessed to be in this situation,” Bradford said. “It’s about making the right decision at the right time and not rushing into anything. Both of them are great options to have. The fact I get to choose is a blessing. Either way I’m winning.”

Westerman eyes bowl time

Offensive lineman Christian Westerman, a transfer from Auburn a year ago, is eligible to play in the Holiday Bowl and might do so.

“Whether it’s field goal or kickoff return, to me putting on ASU gear is a pretty big steppingstone,” he said. “Definitely a big launching pad to get ASU game experience and get me ready for next year.”

ASU is losing left tackle Evan Finkenberg with Westerman (6-4, 304) expected to play at that spot or left guard if Jamil Douglas moves to tackle.

“It’s hard watching the guys competing, but it’s what I chose to do,” said Westerman of Chandler, who redshirted at Auburn in 2011 and played two games in 2012. “It’s what I chose to do, I’m still glad with my decision. I got a whole year to improve on my skills and my technique. It’s actually been a really big positive for me. I’ve really improved on my game, and I’m ready to show it.”

Even with Auburn playing the BCS Championship Game against Florida State, Westerman is not second-guessing his choice to return home. “This is my team,” he said. “I’d be here over anywhere else. I’m happy for them to accomplish something like that.”

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